Southern police on Songkran trafficking alert

Southern police on Songkran trafficking alert

Immigration Division 6 of the Police Immigration Bureau covers the 11 southernmost provinces, including Phuket, and calls itself
Immigration Division 6 of the Police Immigration Bureau covers the 11 southernmost provinces, including Phuket, and calls itself "the gateway from Asean". (Photo courtesy Immigration Division 6, Songkhla)

The Immigration Police Bureau (IPB) has intensified protection of the southern provinces to prevent human and drug trafficking during the Songkran holiday this week.

Pol Maj Gen Nitipong Niemnoi, head of Immigration Police Division 6 which oversees the southern region, said Sunday he has instructed 11 immigration offices to impose stricter measures along the border checkpoints in 14 southern provinces to thwart any organised criminal activity during the upcoming long weekend.

He said authorities will remain vigilant against all forms of transnational crimes, particularly human and drug trafficking, illegal migration and the carrying of fake passports. They are worried that gangs will attempt to take advantage of this busy time to get up to mischief.

The provincial immigration offices are in Songkhla, Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Satun, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Ranong, Krabi, Phangnga and Phuket.

Authorities will also tighten inspections at the Padang Besar border checkpoint in Songkhla's Sadao district bordering Malaysia.

Pol Maj Gen Nitipong said transnational criminals could attempt to elude authorities amid the increase in both Thai and foreign travellers during the Songkran festival, which marks the country's peak tourism season. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked the bureau to help travellers and ensure their safety.

Apart from land routes, checks will also be stepped up at sea and air checkpoints across the southern region, such as the piers in Ranong and Satun and Surat Thani and Krabi international airports.

Authorities will also focus on tourist destinations such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in Surat Thani, Koh Lipe in Satun, Similan National Park in Phangnga and Koh Lanta in Krabi, Pol Maj Gen Nitipong added.

Meanwhile, at the border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district, immigration police worked with local police and the military to check the luggage of Cambodian migrant workers who have been returning to their home country to celebrate the Songkran festival. Police are also looking out for any smuggled items.

Pol Lt Col Benjapol Rodsawat, deputy chief of Sa Kaeo immigration police, said immigration authorities are stationed at the checkpoint to offer help to Cambodians going home this week.

Immigration police teams are also checking they hold valid passports and Thai work permits.

Legal action will be taken against undocumented migrant workers as well as those who do not have a passport, Pol Lt Col Benjapol added.

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